Green stink bug description

Also known as the name green soldier bug, this tiny creature has the zoological name Chinavia hilaris. It belongs to the family called Pentatomide. The green stink bug is found in the shades of green and yellow. The most common tints and hues found in this species include that of the bright green. This body color is accentuated by the addition of the small edges of red, yellow and orange. The body looks like a soldier’s shield. It is little stretched oval like structure that makes it look unique and different from many other species. The overall length of the body measures between 13 and 18 mm. The body also has three unique shaped antennal segments that make it easy to differentiate between the green bug and the other species falling under Nezara viridula. Unlike the pronotal margin in Acrosternum pennysylvancium, the green bug has a comparatively straight one. Beneath the thorax, just half way to the metapleuron edge there are stink glands in the adults and the nymphs. A certain secretion with terrible smell is released from these glands. This liquid is of high industrial worth after it is dried. This dried form is used to overcome the smell of the acids.

Life cycle and biology

The green stink bugs start mating in the spring season. They are very active in this part of the year the bugs are seen during May and June or July and August. They taper off in the latter months usually by staying in the fruit trees. One generation is produced in one year. The warm springs make them more active. The first generation appears in June while the second one appears in the months of July and August. The life cycle of the green bug usually spreads over 45 days.

1. Egg

The eggs of the green bug are 1.4 mm by 1.2 mm in size. Their color at the early stage is yellow, but it gradually transforms into green color. The final stage of these eggs is pink or gray. They lay their eggs in the clustered form. They are arranged in the double rows. They get attached to the food source.

2. Nymphs

The nymphs are small, black creatures. The nymphs start changing into green, yellow and red color when they start growing up. In the immature stage, they can be identified with the white spots that appear on their entire abdomen. The bodies are oval in shape and have wings that are not well developed for flying. After reaching the final instar, they start looking like the adults. The instars stay together due to aaa particular kind of oviposition behavior.

3. Adult

They are shield-shaped creatures with a pair of wings. They are 14 to 19 mm long and light green. There is a narrow yellow line around the pronotum and the head region. They suck plant fluids with the help of their mouth parts.

Hosts

The life of this species depends upon several types of seeds and fruits. By taking in a sufficient amount of these. It becomes possible to have a sufficiently massive population. Green bugs pre upon several important vegetations. They mostly feed on tomato, black cherry, tobacco, elderberry, soybean, dogwood, peas, basswood, pear, pine trees, peaches, apple, eggplant, apricot, cotton, asparagus, corn, and beans.

Damage

The green stink bug is extremely dangerous for the commercial plantation like fruit trees. They have a severe impact upon the fruit causing the development to stop at various stages of the fruit development. The adults are fatal than the nymphs because the nymph movement is retarded and they are not very active either. The nymphs are not able to attack the trees that give fresh fruits like peaches. The adults lay their eggs in the season when they prey upon the grapes. The primary source of food at the time of appearance of the nymphs is the fruit extract of the mature fruit.after feeding on the fruit the bug injects the harmful juices into the fruit, which has negative implications for the growth and development of the fruit in general. After continuous attacks on the fruit, the quality of the fruit is severely affected. The seed quality is also badly impacted. Pathogens can make an easy way to into the affected fruit.As the bug damages the tissues of the fruit, the fruit suffers from a certain deformation that is known as catfacing. The surface becomes rough as the essential juices are drained out. Dimpling and scarring are another common forms of distortion caused due to the green bug. In some fruits, dimples appear in the skin.

How to get rid of green stink bug physically

1. Vacuum the bugs up

An industrial vacuum is a great tool to get rid of the bugs. It is a very easy way to remove the bugs from the affected plant. After removing the bugs, it is critical to eliminate the bag from the vacuum as it can keep the stink for a long time leaving your vacuum useless. It is a technically sound way that involves little manual excursion to get rid of the bugs.

2. Wallop them with soapy water

The second easy to do remedy is to use any good dish detergent in a bucket of water. The bucket with soapy water has to be placed near the affected plantation. At this point, some manual effort is needed. The bugs are hand picked and then thrown into the soapy water. It is a stink free way of getting hold of the bugs.

3. Use an insect electrocution system

Bug zappers or the insect electrocution system is installed in any dark area. The installation instructions come in the manual. Te device has to be operated at night to ensure that no harm is caused to anything else. These devices attract the bugs towards the bright light generated by the apparatus. As the insect comes closer, the insect gets trapped and then killed by the electric shock.

4. Spread fly tape along entryways

It is a hassle-free, convenient way of getting rid of the bugs that plague you. It is a kind of sticky stretch that is used to cover the places that allow the green bugs to invade your home. As the bug tries to cross the tape, the sticky solution does not permit it to go any further. Thus, the pace of spreading around reduces.

Green stink bug prevention

It is essential to take all preventive measures to keep away the bugs instead of using chemical ways later when they spread out.

1. Seal your doors and windows

If you do not want the stinky green creatures to crawl into your domestic premises, it is suggested to seal all the doors and windows that are either broken or cracked. Sealing agents can be used to block the potential entry passages of the green bugs.

2. Patch up any holes

Sometimes cracks start appearing in the walls or any other parts of the building. It can happen because of the changing weather conditions, or the structure starts coming off itself. These cracks, holes and the openings become the entry points of the green stinky bugs. To prevent them it is important to seal all such entry points. The best solution is to fill them with caulking.

3. Control your weeds

A garden can be breeding and growing area for the green bugs. The more unwanted weeds in the garden, the more green bugs. The more the bugs, the more challenges you are likely to face. Get rid of the unnecessary weeds and keep away the bugs from your premises in a safe way.

4. Attract stink bug predators

Just like green stink bugs feed on several tiny creatures, many preys upon the green as their food. Get to know these predators and give a call to the predators who can kill the bugs but are not harmful to your attire. These include some plantations also.

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